High pressure tubing oil saver



p 1939- s. A. GUIBERSON, 30.. El AL 2,174,366

HIGH PRESSURE TUBING OIL SAVER Filed Oct. 31, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1NVENTORS ATTORNEY.

l 1939- s. A. GUIBERSON. 30.. ET AL 2,174,366

HIGH PRESSURE TUBING OIL SAVER Filed Oct. 31, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2ATTORNEY.

p 26, 1939- s. A. GUIBERSON, 30.. ET AL 2, ,366

HIGH PRESSURE TUBING OIL SAVER Filed 001;. 31, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTORS Sammy/4 'azbersomfl A1062! Prmyez;

WAZ/VMQ/L/ ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 26, 1939 HIGH PRES SURE TUBING OIL SAVER Samuel AllenGuiberson, III and Albert Pranger, Dallas, Tex.

Application October 31, 1936, Serial No. 108,528

9 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in high pressureoil savers. It is attached to the well casing and is designed to allowthe safe introduction and withdrawal of drill pipe and tools, the savingof oil stripped from the drill pipe, and to control excessive pressures.

This device is adaptable to be used in the drilling of oil and gas wellsin which oil and gas may be found under very high pressures. Its useobviates the pumping of heavy weighted mud through the drill pipe tocontrol excessive gas and oil pressure, and readily allows the moredesirable practice of circulating oil into the hole beingdrilled, as amedium for controlling pressures, thus to avoid the mudding up of suchlow pressure oil and gas strata as may be encountered.

This invention may be used in connection with an ordinary type blow-outpreventer installed therebelow. When the usual blow-out preventer isinstalled it may be used to control and prevent the blowing out of thewell from excessive pressures, but, because such tool is ordinarily madewith rigid metal faces on the rams which engage the drill pipe, it willnot at the same time control the pressure and allow the safe withdrawalof the drill pipe and the saving of oil, the presence of which isincident to such withdrawal.

One object of this invention is to more easily save such oil and allowthe same to be by-passed to a tank. This is accomplished by the use offlexible faces on the rams which engage the face of the drill pipe andstrip the oil therefrom as the drill pipe is being removed, at the sametime allowing easy passage of drill pipe collars and protuberances, aswhen bits are to be changed 'or drill pipe withdrawn for any purpose.

A primary object of this invention is to allow the rams, on which theflexible faces are mounted, to themselves act as pistons to be operatedby fluid pressure, thus effecting the engagement and disengagement ofsaid flexible faces with the drill pipe without the use of theconventional type piston in addition.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a spring returnmechanism to immediately effect the disengagement of the flexible facesfrom the drill pipe without the application of either pressure or manualmeans to efiect this disengagement. This spring release is of greatimportance, as it is automatic and instantaneous in action; and iteliminates the need for and cost of manual or fluid pressure mechanismto effect the release.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination of opposedrams capable of being operated by other than fluid pressure means, suchas manually or with a combination of manual and spring means.

A still further object of this invention is to 5 provide a sealing lipon the flexible faces of the rams, the better-to engage the drill pipe.

Another important object of this invention is to provide means wherebythese rams may be manually withdrawn from engagement and locked in openposition.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a seal whereby toprevent the escape of pressure around the periphery of the combinationram-piston.

And another object of this invention is to provide a guide which willalways keep the substantially circular aperture between the faces of therams in approximately vertical position.

Other and further objects of this invention will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art to which the improvements herein set outrelate, especially when the following description is considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which drawings- Figure lis an elevation, sectionalized in part, showing the relation of theusual rotary table whereunder is mounted this invention below whichappears a cross flow pipe under which is disclosed the usual ram typeblow-out preventer.

Figure 2 is a partly sectionalized view of this invention with the ramsin closed position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the rams in openposition.

Figure 4 is a view taken along line 44 of Figure 3, disclosing a crosssection of rod, spring,

ram and housing.

the rubber.

Figure 6 is a plan-like view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2, showingposition of the rubber faces when in complete engagement with oneanother and with the drill pipe.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a rubber covered ram looked at from above.

Figure 8 shows an extension bar and universal joint for manuallyoperating the device from outside the derrick floor.

In the drawings the numeral I represents a cylindrical housing, having avertical and circular opening 9 therethrough. The opposite ends of thishousing are closed by covers 2.

A liquid tight connection is provided between the housing and the drillpipe 32 by a pair of semicircular packing rubbers 3. These rubbers aremolded to cages 4, and these cages are firmly attached to circularspiders 5. The rubbers, cages and spiders are firmly aflixed togetherand operate slidably within the cylindrical housing to form a movablepiston-like ram 23 therein, operating in close relation with the insidewall 8 of said housing. The back ends of said rubbers are provided withflexible lips I to seal against the inside wall 6 of said housing. Forthe purpose of effecting a further and more complete seal there areprovided suitable packing rings 8 between the spiders 5 and the insidewall 6.

The combined assemblies of rubber and cage and spider constitute rams 23which slide freely, in piston-like movement in the housing I, and whenfluid pressure is applied through openings or ports 36 into saidcylindrical housing and back of said rams they will move inwardly untilthe rubbers 3 become closely compressed around the. tubing or drill pipe32 for the purpose of, first: stripping oil oil of the drill pipe whenit is being removed from the hole and, second: holding the drill pipe inimmobile position against excessive well pressures and, third: closingrubbers against drill pipe while operating so as to prevent leakage dueto well pressure while the drill pipe is being introduced or withdrawnfrom the well. When this fluid pressure is released the compressionsprings 23 will move the rams 29 away from the drill pipe, forcing thefluid from the housing and allowing the introduction through opening 3of tools of substantially greater diameter than the drill pipe.

The rubbers 3 are provided with a plurality of semi-circular ribs I0having spacing grooves therebetween. The faces of the rubbers 3 areprovided with tongues I2 which fit into recesses I 3, the better to forma more perfect seal between these rubbers. In order to form anadditional seal around the drill pipe 32 the rubbers are provided with aflexible lip I4 and a groove I5 therebehind. The well pressure appliedwithin this groove and on this lip will press the latter around thedrill pipe, thus forming a pressure tight seal thereabout.

In order to exert additional pressure on the rubbers 3 around the drillpipe 32 and in order to lock the said rubbers around the said pipe, along slidable rod I6 is provided to pass through the cover 2; and on theinternal end of said rod is fixed a collar H. The external end of saidrod is provided with a screw thread I8 which screws into the threadedpart I9 of the housing covers 2. Suitable packing 20 is mounted in saidcover 2 and around said slidable rod I6 to prevent leakage. The spider 5is slidably mounted at its hub 2| on the blank unthreaded end of the rodI6; and the compression spring 23 is mounted around said rod I6 betweencollar I1 and hub 2| so as to make contact with both collar and hub.

when it is desired to lock the rubbers 3 around the drill pipe 32 therod I6 is turned by a handle or hand wheel 24 until collar II pressesfirmly against surface 22 of the cage 4. By this operation the rubbersmay not only be locked against the drill pipe, but an auxiliarypressure, in addition to fluid pressure, may be exerted to hold saidrubbers firmly in place. After the rubbers are thus locked around thedrill pipe fluid pressure behind the rams may be released and the rodswill hold the rubbers firmly in place.

The rubbers 3 ma be withdrawn from contact with the drill pipe andlocked immovably in back position, well within the housing I after beingentirely withdrawn from opening 9 simply by the backward movement of rodI6, accomplished by reversing hand wheel 24.

If for any reason compression spring 23 fails to immediately effect therelease of the rubbers 3 from around the drill pipe, whenever fluidpressure is released from back of the ram 23, the backward rotation ofrod I6 through cover 2 will quickly effect the release of these rubbersWhen the ram 29 is operated by the introduction of fluid pressuretherebehind, or when the rubbers 3 are released from the face of thedrill pipe by the spring 23 after the fluid pressure is relieved, it isobvious that it is unnecessary for the rod I6 to have moved, as the ramsare slidably mounted on the blank end of this rod. This prevents leakageand wear around the rod where it passes through cover 2. Thisconstruction simplifies the cost of manufacture and also the cost ofmaintenance. It allows the operation of the rams backward and forwardwithout the use of an auxiliary piston and obviates the necessity of twoin-take ports for fluid pressure, one before and one behind aconventional piston. Doing away with this piston itself eliminates aconsiderable item of cost and maintenance and saves the expense ofadditional pipe connections to effect the backward movement of thepiston, such as would be required if fluid pressure were used for thispurpose.

To facilitate the operation of the rams manually from outside thederrick floor from a position convenient to the operator, there isprovided to connect with rod IS a long bar 26 having a universal joint25 at its place of connection with rod I6. On the outer end of bar 26may be mounted the hand wheel or handle 24, thus greatly adding to theconvenience of manual operation.

To prevent the rams from rotating within the cylindrical housing I andto always assure the vertical positioning of rubbers 3 within theopening 9 a pin 21 is mounted in the spider part of the ram. This pinmoves in a groove or slot 28 which is cast within the wall 5 of housingI. This construction allows the perfect alignment at all times ofrubbers 3 so that they will present complementary faces to the exteriorwall of the drill pipe.

In Figure 1 is shown the kelly 30 which may be rotated through therotary table 3| to turn the drill pipe 32.

Below the rotary table is disposed the drilling head 33. Below thedrilling head is mounted the oil saver which is the subject of thisapplication. It is firmly attached directly to the well casing 34, or toa nipple-like extension thereof. Immediately below this oil saver thereis mounted in the well casing a cross flow pipe 35 for flowing oil outof the hole to tanks for recovery and for collecting the oil strippedand saved by this invention when the drill pipe 32 is removed.

Suitably valved piping 31 is connected with ports 36 to allow theintroduction and release of fluid pressure for operating the ram 29.

Below the cross flow pipe 35 there is mounted in the well casing, or asection thereof, a conventional blow-out preventer 38 to engage thedrill pipe and prevent blow-outs, with which apparatus the presentinvention is not concerned.

From the foregoing description it becomes apparent that this inventionpresents definite advantages and savings over the ordinary equipment. Itnot only quickly but safely strips oil from drill pipe removed from thehole and allows this oil to be saved, but it does it in a veryeconomical manner. The initial cost of manufacturing this structure isgreatly lessened by the absence therein of the usual piston and theextra packing required around such piston and the absence of fittingsnecessary to introduce pressure both in front of and behind such piston.It speeds the operation of drilling in that it provides spring means forthe immediate and automatic release of rubbers 3 whenever pressure isremoved from ram 29. Less wear and friction and loss of power is theresult of the' unique construction and operation of rod [6 which is notrequired to be moved except in the manual operation of the device,saving wear upon packing around this rod. Additional safety is providedwhen ram 29 is locked in back position by the withdrawal of rod I5,preventing accident to tools going in or out of the hole, and avoidingthe defacing and unnecessary damage to rubbers 3.

When it is desired to clamp and hold more firmly the drill pipe thisstructure allows the simultaneous application of pressure on the rams byscrew means on rods l6 and fluid pressure means through ports 36. Whenthis double pressure is exerted on the rams greater safety incontrolling the well pressure obviously results.

After the rubber faces of the rams have been placed in most positiveengagement with the drill pipe by the double pressure of fluid behindthese rams and the application of the threaded rods screwed into place,then the fluid pressure may be safely removed and the rubber faces willremain in firm and constant engagement with the drill pipe.

Increased saving in the quantity of oil stripped and the more positivesealing of oil and gas pressure within the well results from the novelconstruction of flexible lip M on the rubbers 3 around the drill pipe32.

It becomes obvious also that in the drilling of a well under highpressure. it will. not be at all necessary to apply any externalpressure, such as steam or gas against any piston to cause the rams tomove backward when pressure behind them is relieved, because the springmechanism in this invention disengages the rubbers from the drill pipeand causes the rams to move backward and away from the drill pipe.

Great advantage will be found in this novel means of releasing therubber faces from the drill pipe without the application of any externalpressure, such as air, water or steam, and, especially without having toemploy or depend upon gas or oil pressure within the well itself, suchlatter pressures being notably irregular and may not safely be dependedon.

The spring mechanism which releases the rubber faces of the rams fromaround the drill pipe immediately when pressure (mechanical or fluid)behind the rams is removed, not only effects an instant and positiverelease but it does it without having to maintain auxiliary pressuresuch as may be supplied by air compressors, pumps or steam generators,and it obviates the use of mechanism and conductors for utilizing andapplying such auxiliary pressures, thereby lessening cost of initialequipment and of operation. Having described our invention, what weclaim 1. In an oil saver, a housing, an opening therethrough for thepassage of a drill pipe, well moved into engagement with 'the drillpipe, and

spring means for moving said rams out of engagement with the drill pipe.

2. In an oil saver, a housing, an opening therethrough for the passageof a drill pipe, well casing attached to said housing below saidopening, a cylindrical chamber within said housing, slidable ramsmounted within said chamber, threaded rods passing t'rrough said housingand connected to said rams whereby the latter may be moved intoengagement with the drill pipe, spring means for moving said rams out ofengagement with the drill pipe, compressible rubber faces upon-said ramswherewith to engage the surface of the drill pipe and to close thecasing against the flow of fluid therethrough, and means for introducingfluid pressure behind said rams.

3. In a device of the character described, a

plurality of opposed slidable rams within a common housing, compressiblepacking means upon the faces of said rams to engage the surface of adrill pipe, fluid pressure means behind said rams to move the sametoward said drill pipe, spring means to move said rams in the oppositedirection, and threaded rods manually operated through said housing sothat said packing may be locked in constant engagement with the drillpipe or in disengaged position.

4. In a device of the character described, a plurality of opposedslidable rams within a common housing, compressible packing means uponthe faces of said rams to engage the surface of a drill pipe, fluidpressure means behind said rams to. move the same toward said drillpipe, spring means to move said rams in the opposite direction, andthreaded rods manually operated through said housing whereby said ramsmay be moved back and forth.

5. In an oil saver a packing rubber, a cage secured thereto and havinga. contact surface, a-

spider secured to said cage, 2. rod having a collar, said rod beingadapted to contact said contact surface of said cage, means whereby saidrod may be actuated in one direction, and a spring interposed betweensaid collar and spider tending to move saidspider, cage and rubber inthe opposite direction.

6. In an oil saver, slidable rams, fluid pressure means whereby the ramsmay be caused to engage a drill pipe, spring means whereby said ramswill be moved away from the drill pipe when the pressure of said fluidpressure means is relieved and means to adjust the tension of saidspring means.

7. In an oil saver, slidable rams, fluid pressure means whereby the ramsmay be caused to engage a drill pipe, spring means whereby said ramswill be moved away from the drill pipe when the pressure of said fluidpressure means is relieved and means to render said spring meanseffective or ineffective.

8. In an oil saver, a cage, a housing for the cage, a rubber packersecured to the cage and adapted to engage the drill pipe, a spidersecured to said cage and provided with a spring seat, a shaft providedwith a head, said shaft extending into said spider and the head being onthe inner end of said shaft, a spring positioned between said head andspring seat, and means whereby said shaft may be shifted longitudinallyso as to engage, or be disengaged from the cage.

9. In an oil saver, a cage, a housing for the cage, a rubber packersecured to the cage and adapted to engage a drill pipe, a. spidersecured to said cage and provided with a spring seat, the inside of saidcage and spider forming a chamber, a shaft projecting into said chamberand having a head on its inner end, a surface forming a 10 part of saidcage, means whereby said shaft may be moved longitudinally so as toengage the head thereof against said seat or to remove said head fromsaid seat, a spring positioned between said head and spring seat andtending to move said rubber away from said drill pipe and fluid pressuremeans to move said cage so as to cause said rubber to engage said drillpipe.

